Goddess Meenakshi weds Lord Sunareswarar in Madurai.
Lord Vishnu gives His younger sister Goddess Meenakshi away to lord Shiva, Sundareswarar in Madurai.
This festival is celebrated in Madurai,Tamil Nadu, India in the month of Chithirai(April end)
This is combined with Lord Vishnu entering Madurai from Kallazhagar temple on a Horse to provide salvation to Manduka Rishi.
People throng the city to watch the wedding.
Yet another instance of the Hindus treating God as one of their family.
Worth a visit.
Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple:
14 April 2013 – Sunday – Chithirai Thiruvizha Kodiyetram (Flag Hoisting) between 10.46 am to 11.10 am IST – Karpaga Vriksha, Simha Vahanam
15 April, 2013 – Monday – Bootha, Anna Vahanam
16 April 2013- Tuesday – Kailasa Parvadham, Kamadhenu Vahanam
17 Apr 2013 – Wednesday – Thanga Pallakku
18 April 2013 – Thursday – Vedar Pari Leelai – Thanga Guthirai Vahanam
19-4-2013 – Friday – Saiva Samaya Sthabitha Varalatru Leelai – Rishaba Vahanam
20 April 2013 – Saturday – Nantheekeshwarar, Yaali Vahanam
21 April 2013 – Sunday – Sree Meenakshi Pattabhishekam – between 7.35 pm to 7.59 pm IST – Velli Simhasana Ula
22 April 2013 – Monday – Sree Meenakshi Digvijayam – Indra Vimana Ula
23 April 2013 – Tuesday – Sree Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Thirukalyanam between 8.17 am to 8.41 am IST (Celestial Wedding); Yaanai Vahanam, Pushpa Pallakku
24 April 2013 – Wednesday – Thiru Ther – Therottam at 6 am IST (Ratha Utsavam, Chariot, Car Festival) – Sapthavarna Chapram
25 April 2013 – Thursday – Theertham; Velli Virutchaba Sevai
Kallazhagar or Kallalagar
24-4-2013 – Wednesday – Thallakulathil Edhir Sevai
25 April 2013 – Thursday – Sri Kallazhagar Vaigai Aatril Ezhuntharural
26 April 2013 – Friday – Thirumalirunsolai Sri Kal Azhagar – Vandiyur Thenur Mandapam – Sesha Vahanam in Morning – Garuda Vahanam in the afternoon – Moksham for Manduga Maharishi – Dasavathara Katchi at Ramarayar Mandapam in Night
27 April 2013 – Saturday – Morning Mohanaavatharam – Night Kallazhagar Thirukollam in Pushpa Pallakku at Mysore Mandapam
28 April 2013 – Sunday – Sri Kal Azhagar Thirumalai Eluntharural
Listen to the way people in all walks of Life are mentioned in the Sankalpa.
“Historically it was two separate events. The first is Meenakshi festival that was celebrated on a different month and Alagar festival celebrated on a different month as two separate celebrations.
Meenakshi is the daughter of Pandya king Malayathuvaja Pandian and his queen Kanchanamalai, The royal couples didn’t have a child for a long time. So, he did special pujas and offered his prayers to the God. During the puja a small girl came out of the fire and sat on the lap of the king. At that time a divine voice from the sky told them that this child is avatar of Sakthi (Wife of Lord Shiva) and Lord Shiva will come to marry her at the right age. Meenakshi became a young women and was trained in all warfare and she was crowned as Queen of Pandya kingdom after her father. She conquered the whole world with her extraordinary war skill and at last she went to Kailayam (The Place of Lord Shiva) to conquer it. When Meenakshi meet Lord Shiva at the battlefield she fell in love with him and realised that She is an avatar of Sakthi, Lord Shiva’s wife).
Lord Shiva assured Meenakshi that he will come to Madurai to marry her. As promised Lord Shiva along with all the Devas and rishi’s came to Madurai to attend the holy wedding. Lord Shiva married Meenakshi and ruled the Pandya kingdom under the name Sundara Pandyan.
This is a Separate celebration that was celebrated by Saivaites (Followers of Lord Shiva). The below is the story of Alagar festival that is celebrated by Vaishnavite (Followers of Lord Vishnu)(wiki) http://browse.feedreader.com/c/Live_Trend-1/302640645
Live coverage of the festival;
http://lookup.feedreader.com/Jaya_Tv_Meenakshi_Kalyanam_2013
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- Temple Accounts Are Submitted To God Daily Madurai (ramanan50.wordpress.com)
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